The next day, Clem and I got up at 0530 (although I am not sure I actually ever went to sleep). We had a taxi ready and left so as to film the USAF C-17 landing (that shot list again) and, of course, it was over 30 minutes early – but Clem caught a great shot of the C-17 from the base of the KB bridge, disappearing over the ridge to the east, on short final for landing at Palau International Airport. We then located Captain Zukowsky, who had everything under excellent control. We met the C-17 pilots (3 of them, due to ~24-hour-long mission) headed by a USAF Academy graduate Major Reba (Rebecca) Sonkiss. This was her last flight mission, as she is headed for the Pentagon— so she was very happy to be part of this repatriation mission.

With the C-17 parked at the west end of the runway with the blast of the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) in the background, we went inside for coffee with the aircrew - but not before meeting up with the Paramount Chief Reklai (and former US Marine), who has given a lot of support to RT-2. We also found our Master Guide, Joe (!).

Captain John Zohn (pilot), Chief Reklai (this is the gentleman
we have tried for years to link up with in the Melekeok area),
Reba (Command Pilot), Joe (the famous TV star and fisherman,
as seen on Survivor, Palau) and Nick Barnes (copilot).

Recall that 60 years ago Japanese Zeros used to fly from this same runway.

Gratuitous C17 shots - but we loved every second!
You figure out who took these two pictures.

Joe loved the C-17. Note that the cargo
has already been loaded by then (14 pallets).

Old friends meet up again (Clem and Joe had not seen each other
for a couple of years)! Note Mason Whipps in the red shirt (with
his son in the little red T-shirt) on your left talking with
uniformed Captain Zukowsky and, on your right,
Major Sonkiss talking with Senator Surangel Whipps
(Mason's father and dear friend of ours)
and Chief Reklai . It's only an island.

Clem hard at work, filming the Navy SeaBees loading a pallet.
(The SeaBees are a Navy engineering unit, stationed in Palau
for 6 months, as a Civic Action Team.)
 

Page last modified 11 May 2005